Sen. Daniel Inouye said at a Hanabusa campaign event Monday that he spoke to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi about placing Hanabusa on the committee.

Inouye’s effort comes a week after House Minority Leader John Boehner announced that Hanabusa’s opponent, Republican Rep. Charles Djou, would earn a spot on the committee if he wins re-election.

Inouye, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, told the audience of about 100 people that “I’ve been told that she will get on the Appropriations Committee.”

He clarified in an interview that the House leadership “didn’t say no” to his request.